Reversal Of Ruling Gives Picciano Lead

With the women`s title already clinched by Kelley Kwiatkowski of Fort Lauderdale Aug. 26 in Boca Raton, most of the attention shifted to the men`s open race between Florida Atlantic University senior Bill Picciano and Miami`s Bill Allen.

But what little suspense there was in the men`s race ended when Boca Raton-based Exclusive Sports Marketing, promoter of the nine-race series, reversed its decision for the second time and reinstated Picciano as the winner of the Sept. 9 Amelia Island event, eighth race of the series.

Picciano, 24, had been assessed a five-minute penalty for drafting and dropped to seventh. Initially, Picciano had not been penalized by Tri-Fed officials monitoring the course. An ESM official intervened and penalized Picciano.

Allen, the series points leader, was also penalized for drafting in the same race and bumped from fourth to 10th place. One point separated Picciano and Allen (54-53) to set up the showdown finale.

The threat of a protest filed by Picciano`s stepfather with Tri-Fed/USA, the sport`s governing body, prompted ESM president and founder Steve Tebon to reconsider his decision, according to Tom Ziebart, ESM vice president.

After discussions with Tri-Fed executive director Mark Sisson early in the week Tebon reinstated Picciano, all but assuring him the overall series title and $1,200 first prize.

Going into Sunday`s race, the shortest course of the series (three-eighths of a mile ocean swim, 10-mile bike, and 3-mile run), Picciano has 60 points and Allen 53. If Allen were to win, Picciano would have to finish ninth or worse for Allen to win the series. Allen has not won a series race.

``It could happen, it`s not over,`` Ziebart said.

``It just wasn`t worth the detailed process a protest would take,`` Ziebart said. ``We do feel, however, the Tri-Fed officials need to be more prepared and do a better job of officiating.``

Picciano had not been notified by ESM offficials when contacted Friday by the Sun-Sentinel.

``I probably will ignore what they tell me,`` Picciano said. ``I would rather be down a point, actually. I want to go out there and take it to Bill.``

Picciano, a triplet, plans to turn pro in November. His brothers, Pat and Dave, members of Nike Houston, will also compete in men`s open.

``They won`t beat me, that`s for sure,`` Picciano said.

The women`s open division was clinched by Kwiatkowski, a Hollywood lifeguard, followed by Wendy Bernath of Delray Beach and Anim Simon of North Miami. Kwiatkowski is the first triathlete, man or woman, to ever win all nine races.